Head of Communications & Engagement in United States at Jobgether

This position is posted by Jobgether on behalf of a partner company. We are currently looking for a Head of Communications & Engagement in the United States.

This is a high-impact leadership role at the intersection of science, storytelling, and organizational scale, responsible for shaping how pioneering research organizations communicate their work to the world. You will build and lead communications across a growing portfolio of independent scientific entities while also owning internal and external communications for the broader organization. The role blends strategic advisory, hands-on execution, and capability-building, with a strong emphasis on coaching scientific founders to develop their public voice and media strategy. You will operate as both a trusted communications leader and a systems builder, creating scalable frameworks, tools, and vendor networks that support multiple fast-moving research teams. A significant portion of your work will involve enabling others to communicate effectively, rather than doing all communications directly yourself. This is a role for someone who thrives in complexity, enjoys teaching and influencing senior technical leaders, and can balance strategic clarity with operational discipline.

• Lead communications capability-building across a portfolio of scientific organizations, helping FRO teams develop audience-driven media strategies, messaging frameworks, and channel plans.
• Coach CEOs and scientific founders on media readiness, public narrative development, and press engagement, translating technical complexity into clear, compelling stories.
• Serve as the primary communications partner for multiple research teams, advising on strategy, reviewing external-facing content, and connecting teams to vendors and resources.
• Design and maintain a curated external vendor and consultant ecosystem, including PR firms, writers, designers, and production partners.
• Own internal and owned communications channels including newsletters, FRO updates, knowledge bases, and editorial workflows, ensuring consistency and scalability.
• Manage digital communications channels such as websites, blogs, and social media, coordinating with external partners as needed.
• Oversee press and media coordination for organizational and portfolio-wide announcements, including executive and founder media preparation.
• Establish communications standards and quality controls to ensure consistency across all external-facing materials across the portfolio.
• Leverage AI tools and automation to scale communications output, streamline workflows, and improve operational efficiency across the function.

• 10–15+ years of experience in communications, public relations, or strategic communications leadership roles.
• Proven experience owning or leading a full communications function, including brand, media relations, digital channels, and internal communications.
• Strong ability to coach and influence senior leaders, including founders, executives, and technical experts.
• Demonstrated PR and media strategy expertise, with the ability to translate complex scientific or technical work into compelling narratives.
• Experience managing multiple stakeholders or organizations simultaneously, ideally in complex, matrixed environments.
• Strong operational discipline with experience building systems, workflows, editorial calendars, and scalable communications processes.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate across both technical and executive audiences.
• High degree of autonomy, resourcefulness, and comfort operating in ambiguous and fast-evolving environments.
• Experience working with external vendors, agencies, or consultants in a coordinated communications ecosystem.
• Strong familiarity with AI tools and a willingness to integrate them into modern communications workflows.
• Ability to balance strategic advisory work with hands-on execution as needed.
• Resilience in navigating competing priorities across multiple stakeholders and organizations.

• Competitive salary range of $111,000 – $165,000, with flexibility for exceptional candidates and potential upward adjustment based on experience and location.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance with strong employer contributions, including full coverage for many employee and family plans.
• Retirement plan with up to 6% employer 401(k) match.
• Generous paid time off including 19 holidays, a full year-end shutdown week, and structured PTO, sick leave, and parental leave.
• Fully remote work environment with periodic in-person retreats and team gatherings.
• Professional development support, including education and training benefits.
• Wellness and fitness allowances, plus fertility and childcare support programs.
• Life, disability, and supplemental insurance coverage.
• Access to a highly mission-driven environment working at the frontier of scientific innovation and research infrastructure.